YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WYTV) – A program to encourage Youngstown State University to be more involved with their alma mater has reached a significant milestone in its first year.

A year ago, President Jim Tressel established Pete’s Pride as a way of bringing alumni and others back into the community to help recruit new students and act as mentors to those now taking classes.

During the Summer Festival of the Arts om July 11, the program brought in its 1,000th member and the list continues to grow. The initiative is overseen by the Office of Alumni Engagement.

“They reflect back on what was positive about their experience and people love to talk about something good that happened in their life, and of course, they want us to become as good as we possibly can,” Tressel said.

There are now more than 1,050 people who have joined “Pete’s Pride” in 28 states.